Manufacturers in Kano are preparing to sidestep electricity distribution companies in a bid to rescue the state’s ailing industrial sector, announcing plans to purchase power directly from the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC).
The move, pushed by the Kano branch of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), comes amid worsening outages that have crippled production lines, forced factory shutdowns, and driven up costs in one of Nigeria’s most important manufacturing hubs.
During a visit to NDPHC headquarters, MAN representatives pressed for access to the company’s Eligible Customer Programme, which would allow them to source supply without going through local distribution firms.
Jennifer Adighije, managing director of NDPHC, welcomed the overture, pledging that the state-owned power firm stood ready to supply industries within regulatory and infrastructural limits. “We are committed to partnering with the manufacturing sector to drive industrial growth, create jobs, and enhance socio-economic development,” she said, adding that recent improvements in plant availability meant NDPHC could expand direct sales once approvals were secured.
Adighije pointed to the revival of the Omotosho and Alaoji plants as evidence of capacity gains, and reiterated plans to free up 200 megawatts of stranded generation by the end of 2025 – energy currently wasted due to what she described as the “abysmally low uptake” by distribution companies.
The Kano delegation, led by Ali Madugu of Dala Foods, said manufacturers were ready to commit to long-term agreements if it meant reliable supply. “Access to electricity is critical for reviving industries and sustaining jobs in Kano State,” Madugu said.
NDPHC executives presented a roadmap for connecting MAN members to the grid, with both sides agreeing to pursue a framework that could accelerate industrial recovery in the north.
The talks ended with cautious optimism, but the challenge remains stark: without urgent reforms to Nigeria’s fragile power sector, the country’s factories risk falling further into decline, leaving initiatives like this as rare sparks of hope for local industry.
